Fire Near Redding Forces Evacuations, 5 Homes Saved

REDDING, Calif. (CBS/13AP) — Authorities say a 1,200-acre wildfire near Redding in northern California is 30 percent contained and has destroyed two outbuildings. Officials say five homes were damaged but firefighters were able to save them all.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant says 80 homes are still evacuated Friday and progress was made on the fire front overnight.

The evacuations are for neighborhoods in southwest Redding and the Happy Valley area. Some roads are also closed.

Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at University Prep School at the Shasta High School, 2500 Eureka Way in Redding.

The fire was first reported at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Berlant says humidity and wind weren’t factors, but conditions are so dry, the fire moved swiftly.